Basketball Position Roles Explained | iSport.com Basketball Position Roles Explained A basketball team consists of five players on the floor at all times. They are: A point guard A power forward A center As their names would suggest, the two guards, the two forwards, and the center have completely different responsibilities on the floor. To fully understand competitive basketball, it’s essential to know each position’s role within a team’s offense and defense. Point Guard The point guard is the floor leader on offense. He sets the tone by bringing the ball upcourt, calling plays, and directing the offense. More than any other player on the floor, he must understand each player’s personal strengths and role on the floor. He needs to be a good ball-distributor and have the vision to see a player getting open. Main Characteristics The point guard must also control the tempo of the game and be able to run the fast break after receiving a quick outlet pass: The point guard’s often the quickest player on the floor, and he should be able to dribble-penetrate to the basket. He and the coach need to communicate clearly, and the point guard should act like the “coach” on the court.

In addition, he needs to handle the various personalities on the team in order to be constructive and positive at all times. Defensively, the point guard must be able to slow down the opposing team’s ball-handler. The point guard rarely receives the most difficult defensive assignment. However, the point guard should be able to stop the ball or steer the ball-handler into a trapping situation. Shooting Guard As the name suggests, the shooting guard must be a good shooter from short and long range. In addition, the shooting guard must also be versatile enough to handle some of the point guard’s ball-handling duties, while also filling the lane on the fast break like a wing player. For this reason, the shooting guard is typically an athletic and talented scorer. Main Characteristics If you’re having trouble finding a position, develop your overall game and your coach will find a position for you. Once you’re given a home on the floor, you can work on the specific responsibilities of that position. A shooting guard should be a competent passer that can distribute the ball to teammates setting up in the low post. He must also be able to receive a pass from a teammate and find an open shot with a quick release.

The best shooting guards can fire from long range, forcing the defense to spread out. The shooting guard must also guard the opponent’s best perimeter scorer. He’s usually easier to substitute for than the point guard, which means he often spends more energy on the defensive end guarding a skilled offensive player. Small Forward The small forward is usually required to be a jack-of-all-trades, and for that reason he’s often the best athlete on the floor. The small forward is a perimeter player who can play down low when necessary. In addition, he’s a ball-handler who can get inside and attack the rim. He must have a strong mid-range offensive game, but the ability to knock down a shot from three-point range is a huge plus. Main Characteristics A quick first step is a small forward’s best friend. If he can quickly get to the basket or fill the lane on the fast break, he can be a huge asset to his team. At the same time, the small forward must be physical enough to absorb contact when getting into the lane on dribble-penetration. The small forward must also be a good foul shooter because of the contact he usually draws from bigger players. Defensively, the small forward should be able to guard both larger and smaller players.

On pick-and-rolls and fast breaks, the small forward will have to switch to guard someone else’s man. He must be versatile enough to hold his own no matter whom he ends up guarding. Power Forward The big men on the court — centers and power forwards — have more specialized roles. The power forward often makes his biggest contributions without having the ball in his hands. He sets screens, boxes out, and plays solid defense. He must be an intimidator in the paint and keep offensive penetrators away from the basket. Main Characteristics Five guys on the court working together can achieve more than five talented individuals who come and go as individuals. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Retired Hall of Fame NBA Center The power forward must be able to establish position on the low block, and have the offensive moves and quick footwork to put the ball in the basket. In addition, he should be a good enough passer to find the open man or a cutter, especially when his path to the basket is blocked. He’s generally the player who takes care of the little things, like setting up teammates and setting screens. The power forward’s most important responsibility, however, is cleaning up the glass and creating extra possessions on offense.

He has to be able to move other men with his body and jump high for the rebound. Lastly, the power forward should be a good foul shooter, because he will draw contact on both ends of the court. Center The center is usually the tallest man on the floor and the player closest to the basket. For these reasons, he’s frequently the most important man on the floor. Generally, centers are the focal point of the offense and can facilitate every other player’s offensive game with solid screens and crisp passing. A center who has quick feet and a strong upper body can dominate the low block and open up the entire offense for everyone else. However, the center might be more instrumental on defense: A center who can block shots and intimidate players flashing into the paint can change the entire game. He must be able to guard the opposing center and provide help when other offensive players attack the basket. A dominant center makes for a game-changing player. It’s important to remember that some of the best centers aren’t very tall and some of the tallest players aren’t centers. It’s more essential for the center to have the disposition and desire to own the painted area than it is for him to be the tallest player on the floor.

Versatility Some basketball players were born to play specific positions and some players develop the skills over time for certain positions. A player who can fill in at multiple positions is a valuable asset to a coach and his teammates, and he’s hard to keep off the floor. At the same time, even if you have a specific position that you always play, it’s important to develop your overall game. A point guard who can box out to get a rebound, or a center who can dribble, will help the team win. Share this Guide: Basketball: player positions Back to Basketball The rules of basketball do not define any specific player positions. This is different from many other major sports like football, baseball, and soccer where at least some players must be in certain positions during the play of the game (the goalie in soccer, for example). So the positions in basketball are more part of an overall strategy of the game. There are 5 traditional positions that most teams have in their offense and defensive schemes. Many players today are interchangeable or can play many positions. Also, many teams have rosters and players that allow them to try different set ups like a three guard offense, for example.

The five traditional basketball player positions are: Point guard: The point guard is the team leader and play caller on the basketball court. A point guard needs good ball handling skills, passing skills as well as strong leadership and decision making skills. Traditionally basketball point guards were small, fast players and this is still often the case. However, Magic Johnson changed the way point guards were used. He was a big 6-8 player that used his height and size to get great passing angles. Magic's success has opened the door for all sorts of point guards. The key to a strong point guard today is leadership, passing, and running the team. Shooting guard: The shooting guard in basketball has the main responsibility of making long outside shots including the three-point shot. The shooting guard also should be a good passer and able to help the point guard with the ball handling. Shooting guards are often the top scorer on a team. Perhaps the best shooting guard in the history of basketball was Michael Jordan. Jordan could do it all, from scoring to defense to rebounding. It's this versatility that makes a great shooting guard, but all shooting guards should be able to extend the defense with their outside shot.

Small forward: Along with the shooting guard, the small forward is often the most versatile player on the basketball team. They should be able to help with ball handling, make an outside shot, and get rebounds. The small forward is often a great defensive player as well. The combination of height and quickness can allow them to defend a number of positions and take on the best scorer on the opposing team. On many teams today the small forward and the shooting guard are almost the same position and are called "wing" players. Power forward: The power forward on a basketball team is usually responsible for rebounding and some scoring in the paint. A power forward should be big and strong and able to clear out some space under the basket. Many great power forwards in the game today do not score a lot of points, but lead their team in rebounds. Power forwards are often good shot blockers as well. Center: The center is usually the biggest or tallest member of the basketball team. In the NBA, many centers are 7 feet tall or taller. The center can be a big scorer, but also needs to be a strong rebounder and shot blocker. On many teams the center is the final line of defense.

Many of basketball's greatest players (Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kareem, Shaq) have been centers. A strong center presence was long considered the only way to win an NBA championship. In modern times, many teams have won with other great players (Michael Jordan), but a strong center is still a prized basketball position on any basketball team. Bench: Although only 5 players play at a time on any basketball team, the bench is still very important. Basketball is a fast paced game and players need to rest. A strong bench is key to any basketball team's success. In most games at least 3 players from the bench will play a significant amount of time. Defensive Positions: There are two main types of defensive basketball strategies: zone and man-to-man. In man-to-man defense each player is responsible to cover one player on the other team. They follow this player wherever they go on the court. In zone defense, players have certain positions or areas of the court they cover. The guards usually play at the top of the key with the forwards playing closer to the basket and on opposite sides. The center usually plays in the middle of the key.

However, there are a wide variety of zone defenses and combinations of zone and man-to-man that basketball teams play. Teams will often switch defenses around during a basketball game to see which works best against a particular opponent. More Basketball Links: Basketball Court Diagram and Basketball Positions | Basketball positions - Vector stencils library | Basketball positions - Vector stencils library | Point Guard Basketball Positions Basketball Court Diagram and Basketball Positions Basketball Court Diagram and Basketball Positions The illustration of possible situations during the basketball matches, presentation of basketball positions and the best tactics, explanation of rules and training to successful game, become much more easier and time saving with visual illustrations and drawings. Creation of several illustrations and comparing them lets effectively show the differences and advantages in positions of players. ConceptDraw PRO software extended with Basketball solution from Sport area of ConceptDraw Solution Park provides the shapes' libraries with different kinds of basketball courts and basketball positions, templates and samples, which will render great help for basketball specialists and fans in drawing professional-looking and illustrative basketball-related diagrams and schematics of any complexity in a few minutes. Extensive export capabilities of ConceptDraw PRO to varied graphical formats open before you wide field for activities and possibility to easy communicate with large quantity of people, which have different software installed on their devices.

Basketball: The Point Guard Basketball: The Point Guard Sports >> Basketball >> Basketball Positions The Leader The point guard is the leader on the floor. He takes the ball up the court and gets the offense started. The point guard can score, but his main job is to distribute the ball to the other players and get the rest of the team involved in the offense. Point guards should be unselfish, smart, and good leaders. Skills Needed To be a good point guard you need to be an excellent dribbler and passer. Quickness is important as well, so you can get the ball up the court as well as play defense against the opposing team's point guard. Dribbler: If you want to be a great point guard, the first thing to work on is your ball handling. You need to be able to dribble with either hand, at full speed, with your head up. You can't be looking down at the ball while dribbling because you need to be ready to make that quick pass when a teammate is open. Passing: A point guard must be able to pass the ball with accuracy.

This includes getting the ball into players posting up on the blocks, hitting the wing man for an open shot, or a perfectly timed bounce pass on the fast break. You have to think pass first, shoot second. Quickness: Speed and quickness are great assets to the point guard. With speed you can get up the court fast on a fast break. Pushing the ball off the dribble can put pressure on the other team and get them on their heels. Quickness will allow you to dribble around the defense and find open players. Smarts: Point guards should be smart. They have to be the coach on the floor, calling out plays and keeping the offense under control. Important Statistics Although statistics don't tell the whole story about the point guard, assists and turnovers are generally important stats. Also important is the assist-to-turnover ratio. This is how many assists the player has per how many turnovers. The higher the number the better, showing that the player has many more assists than turnovers. Top Point Guards of All Time Some of the top NBA point guards of all time include: Magic Johnson (LA Lakers) Basketball Positions Defined One by One Power Forward Center They are each designated a number, as shown above.

So if someone says something like, “he plays the 2,” that means he plays the shooting guard position. The point guard is the floor general. He orchestrates the offense like a symphony, directing his teammates and setting them up for easy baskets. He is a catalyst for the offense and makes everyone around him better. The PG is most often the shortest but quickest player of the 5 basketball positions. A good point guard possesses: Excellent ball handling (usually the best ball handler on the team) Excellent passing Court vision = the ability to see the entire court and know where all teammates are at all times Quickness Good shooter In addition, good point guards have a good basketball iq or sixth sense about the game. They are able to “read” the defense and exploit openings. Today, there are so many point guards that are what you might call shoot-first point guards; basically that means they like to score a lot of points and often look for their shot. On the other hand, a pure point guard refers to a pass-first PG. The only thing on his mind is passing the ball and assisting his teammates for easy scores. The shooting guard or off-guard (basically meaning “the other guard”) is the marksman of the team.

He is usually the best shooter on the team and has the ability to knock down jumpers with consistency all over the court. Physically, a player that plays the 2 spot is usually lengthy and athletic. While the SG is busy knocking down jumpers, he has other things to do too! Handle the ball well in order to create his own shots and play the role of the point guard at times Move without the ball to get himself open into a position to receive a pass and score while also tiring out his defender from all that chasing as an added bonus Overall a shooting guard has a “similar” skill set to the point guard, but with more of an offensive mindset. Michael Jordan, considered by many to be the greatest basketball player ever, played shooting guard. Today, Kobe Bryant is a shining example of what a shooting guard should be. *The point guard and the shooting guard occupy what is called the backcourt since the guards mostly play out on the perimeter, so they are designated to the backcourt. The small forward is the most versatile of the 5 basketball positions. Since he is the 3 position, he’s like the middle child (that nobody pays attention to!.. kidding =/).

His job is to score, rebound, pass, and defend well. Small forwards are typically taller and stronger than shooting guards, but smaller than power forwards. Many times, small forwards are extremely versatile in that they can slide down and play shooting guard or even play power forward in certain stretches of the game. On some teams that like to run a lot and play a small lineup, the small forward may even play center. A swingman refers to a small forward that can easily slide down and play shooting guard, playing effectively at both basketball positions. So to sum it up, the key abilities of the 3 are: quickness good post up (back to the basket) game can knock down open shots get physical in the paint A point forward is a forward who is very well rounded and can bring up the ball and setup the offense like a point guard. Lamar Odom of the Lakers and Lebron James of the Cavaliers are good examples. The center is usually without question the tallest and biggest player of the 5 basketball positions. He patrols the painted area; he is the gatekeeper and the last line of defense to the basket. The center usually takes high percentage shots on offense, meaning open shots and shots close to the basket.

Speed, mobility, and strength are a winning combination for this position. Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic is a player to watch. Keys for good center: imposing defensive presence, changing and blocking shots soft hands and a soft touch around the basket physically strong, good upper body strength good passer, passing out of double teams finding the open teammate Today, more and more players are just so well rounded; it’s harder and harder to pigeonhole someone into a given position. You’re seeing big men who can handle the ball and shoot three pointers; you’ll also see strong physical point guards that can post up like Baron Davis. Personally, I think no matter what your skill set or physical stature, practice all areas of basketball and become the most well-rounded and versatile basketball player you can be. Basketball | Kuroko no Basuke Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit A regulation basketball hoop consists of a rim 18 inches (45.7 cm) in diameter and 10 feet (3.05 m) high mounted to a backboard. A team can score a field goal by shooting the ball through the hoop during regular play.

A field goal scores two points for the shooting team if a player is touching or closer to the hoop than the three-point line, and three points (a "3 pointer") if the player is "outside" the three-point line. The team with more points at the end of the game wins, but additional time (overtime) may be issued when the game ends with a tie. In the anime, it is based on FIBA rules of 10 minutes per quarter, with 5 fouls causing an ejection. The ball can be advanced on the court by bouncing it while walking or running (dribbling) or passing it to a teammate. It is a violation (traveling) to walk with the ball, carry it, or to double dribble (to hold the ball and then resume dribbling). Basketball court Various violations are generally called "fouls". Disruptive physical contact (a personal foul) is penalized, and a free throw is usually awarded to an offensive player if he is fouled while shooting the ball. A technical foul may also be issued when certain infractions occur, most commonly for unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of a player or coach.

A technical foul gives the opposing team a free throw. Basketball has evolved many commonly used techniques of shooting, passing, and dribbling, as well as specialized player positions and offensive and defensive structures (player positioning) and techniques. Typically, the tallest and strongest members of a team will play the "center" or "power forward" positions, while slightly shorter and more agile players will play "small forward", and the shortest players or those who possess the best ball handling skills and speed play "point guard" or "shooting guard". While competitive basketball is carefully regulated, numerous variations of basketball have developed for casual play. Competitive basketball is primarily an indoor sport played on carefully marked and maintained basketball courts, but less regulated variations are often played outdoors in both inner city and rural areas. Positions Edit The Generation of Miracles and their basketball positions Although the rules do not specify any positions whatsoever, they have evolved as part of basketball. During the first five decades of basketball's evolution, one guard, two forwards, and two centers or two guards, and one center were used. Since the 1980s, more specific positions have evolved, namely: Point guard : usually the fastest and shortest on the team.

Takes command of the team and calls the play. Usually has good ball handling and a good shot. Passing skills, steals and court vision are characteristic abilities of point guards. Notable PGs are Seijūrō Akashi , Makoto Hanamiya , Kazunari Takao , and Shun Izuki . Notable point guards from the NBA past and present: Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Penny Hardaway, John Stockton, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry. Shooting guard : creates a high volume of shots on the offense, and is responsible for guarding the opposing teams shooter as well. They take many shots; especially 3 pointers, and are able to cut to the basket as well. Notable SGs are Shintarō Midorima , Tatsuya Himuro , Reo Mibuchi , and Junpei Hyūga .

Notable shooting guards from the NBA past and present: Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Kobe Bryant, Clyde Drexler, Jerry West, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Tracy Mcgrady, Vince Carter, Richard Hamilton, Dwyane Wade, James Harden, Klay Thompson. Small forward : not big enough for center, too slow to be a point guard. A very well rounded player, can do everything any other position can do, just not as well. They're very fast and strong, however they're not fast or strong enough for the other positions. Notable SFs are Ryōta Kise , Kotarō Hayama , and Shōgo Haizaki . Even though Kuroko 's position is noted as a question mark, his assumed positions would be closest to small forward out of the five. Notable small forwards from the NBA past and present: Elgin Baylor, John Havlicek, Julius Erving Larry Bird, James Worthy Dominique Wilkins, Scottie Pippen, Grant Hill, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Carmelo Anthony. Power forward : are extremely tall big men or wide shorter men, typical power forwards are not fast or good jumpers.

They play a very center-like way, and are very crafty. They are typically faster than a center, but not faster than a small forward. With good strength, some are able to power out a center. Many power forwards in the NBA can be used as centers, or may be the tallest players in the team, but with slimmer build than centers, so they start as PFs. Notable PFs are Daiki Aomine , Taiga Kagami , and Chihiro Mayuzumi . Notable power forwards from the NBA past and present: Kevin Mchale, Karl Malone, Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Chris Bosh, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis and Kristaps Porzingis. Center : are most if not always the tallest on the court. Ranging from 6'10 and above, they use height and power to score points and hustle for boards. Great centers come with a variety of post moves, most are unable to shoot 3 points consistently, but can make mid range jumpers.

Notable Cs are Atsushi Murasakibara , Teppei Kiyoshi , and Eikichi Nebuya . Notable centers from the NBA past: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar Robert Parish, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming, Notable centers from the NBA present: DeMarcus Cousins, Andre Drummond, Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan and Tyson Chandler (who, due to his small frame when he entered the NBA, he started as an oversized SF) The above descriptions are flexible. For most teams today, the shooting guard and small forward have very similar responsibilities and are often called the wings, as do the power forward and center, who are often called post players. While most teams describe two players as guards, two as forwards, and one as a center (or 2 guards, 1 swingman (SG/SF) and two big men (PF/C), or even two centers), on some occasions teams choose to call them by different designations.

There are even exceptional cases where taller forwards cover the point guard spot (point-forward like Scottie Pippen late in his career). While the positions are not enforced, they are usually the best route to win games. Some teams may use something called a 'small' lineup, where they take out the center and occasionally the power forward to create a lineup of small and quick players. It's highly effective if used in the correct scenario. This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia ( view authors) . In Kuroko no Basuke Edit Basketball plays an important role in Kuroko no Basuke , as it is the main theme. All the characters that have appeared either play basketball, are coaches or are managers. The manga only focuses on high school basketball, with teams from different schools competing against each other. These teams compete in tournaments, like the Interhigh , the Winter Cup and the Nationals . This basketball scene mainly takes place in Tokyo . Traditional positions being eliminated across college basketball For years, they've tried to find a box for him. But they've all felt as snug as a shrunken sweater to Marcus Smart . Smart prefers -- needs -- more freedom than any position truly allots.

The freedom to be a point guard, if that's what you must call him. The freedom to roll off picks and slash. The freedom to freestyle on fast breaks. The freedom to put his back to the basket and exploit smaller guards in the lane. "It's kind of weird when people say I'm a point guard," the Oklahoma State star said. "And then they say I'm a shooting guard. Then they say I'm a 3, I'm an undersized small forward. … It's just crazy to hear them say that to me because if you really knew, you really couldn't classify me. They've tried and tried. They still can't come up with a position for me." The 6-foot-4 standout will be the starting point guard on every reasonable preseason All-American list this year. But his own coach agrees that "point guard" fails to capture Smart's full capabilities. "I think he's a guy NBA scouts look at and say, 'Wow, he is a 6-4, 215-pound point guard who physically can do it but also, he can play a 2, he can play a 3, because of his skill level," Oklahoma State's Travis Ford said.

Marcus Smart might be listed as a "point guard" but he isn't afraid to take the ball to the basket. Joe Robbins/Getty Images Smart represents a new breed of college basketball players who reject labels. They can shoot, slash to the hoop, handle the ball, run the offense, play in the post and rebound all on the same possession. It's all evidence that the traditional setup that once featured two guards, two forwards and a center is disappearing as players mimic do-it-all NBA stars such as LeBron James. He can do everything, so why should they limit themselves if they want to play at the next level, too? "In order to play at that level, you either have to do one thing exceptionally well or you have to be a versatile player," Iowa State coach and former NBA sharpshooter Fred Hoiberg said. "There's not a ton of specialists at that level anymore." With that theme in mind, 7-footers take 3-pointers. Kids who would have probably played power forward 20 years ago dribble the ball up the floor. Shooting guards prefer to be called combo guards. Small forwards? Good luck identifying one who is not as comfortable on the perimeter as he is on the inside.

And the paint has become a part-time home for many big men. "I think the culture of basketball is changing," said Kyle Anderson , UCLA's 6-foot-8 point guard. In the past, coaches would rebut the adaptability enjoyed by so many in the game today. But even old-school leaders embrace it because they're using the diversity to win. The high level of on-floor versatility is not just changing college basketball. It has already changed it. Traditional lineups -- point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center -- seem more outdated every year. "I don't use those terms anywhere near as much," Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said. Added UCLA coach Steve Alford: "I've always tried to stay away from labeling kids because I think sometimes it can handicap them because you never know how they're going to develop." Greg McDermott just laughs at the idea. He has coached his son, Doug, throughout his entire career. He knows the NBA prospect's game as well as anyone. But he's not sure that he really has a position. "It's very difficult to say," he said. "We use him on the perimeter. We slash him into the post. He's doing some things off the dribble.

I just think Doug is a good basketball player. I'm not sure that there is a position that should be attached to him. " Doug McDermott is a 6-foot-8 athlete who averaged 23.2 PPG and 7.7 RPG last year. His father recently dubbed a couple of Kevin McHale tapes for him because he wants him to be a better player inside this season. The pro scouts like him in part because he hit 49 percent of his 3-pointers in 2012-13. Doug McDermott doesn't want a label. He doesn't feel like he can be attached to a particular position. Elsa/Getty Images What position is that? "There's no real specific label on what position I am, especially with the kind of style we play," he said. "We just put a bunch of shooters out there and we're kind of interchangeable. And I think that's just the way the game is moving. There's really no specific label on these guys. Guys are just more skilled and can play multiple positions." There are clearly fewer restrictions now. Smaller players aren't necessarily guards. And bigger players aren't always handcuffed to the post.

Isaiah Austin is proof of that. He's 7-feet tall. Yet, he's most content when he's floating in Baylor's offense. He shot 90 3-pointers last season. On the AAU circuit, he played point guard. And in Scott Drew's scheme, he's allowed to push the ball down the court in specific situations. "I can dribble the ball, I can bring the ball up court, I can shoot long 3s, I can hit the fade-away, I can shoot the hook with both hands on the block," Austin said. "I just want to show people that basketball is changing. It's changing a lot." This evolution didn't unfold in a vacuum. The NBA has certainly affected its little brother in dramatic ways. Magic Johnson, one of the pioneers of this movement, played multiple roles for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, including a memorable stint at center in the 1980 NBA Finals. "It goes back to Magic when Magic was a point guard for the Lakers and they needed him to play the 5-spot in a crucial game and he was able to do it," Louisville coach Rick Pitino said.

"So Magic was probably the guy who started it in terms of versatility." In the 1990s, Kevin Garnett redefined what a 6-foot-11 forward could do on a basketball court. Years later, the influx of European hybrid forwards fueled the rise of the "pick-and-pop," as foreign big men frequently roamed the perimeter. LeBron James, however, has been the most significant catalyst in this avalanche of change. He's built like an all-pro defensive end but moves like a point guard. He plays all five positions. As the icon of a generation, his success is inspiration for college players who ignore classifications. "He has started that [evolution] by him being 6-8, 250 and being able to play point guard, a 2, 3 and being able to guard every position on the floor because he's so strong and athletic," Iowa State combo forward Georges Niang said. Isaiah Austin is a 7-footer, but that doesn't mean his feet are cemented to the paint. He can put the ball on the floor. Peter G.

Aiken/Getty Images Added Wisconsin's Sam Dekker : "It influences us a lot because you get to see that the best players in the world are the ones that can do everything." There are, however, drawbacks to the NBA's effect on the college game. Fewer true centers exist now. Elite, exclusive low-post players are rare at the collegiate level. Plus, players might have more skills but they're not necessarily more skilled. Overall, Division I players haven't made significant strides from the free throw line or the field in the past 20 years. Per NCAA trend stats, they made 38.4 percent of their 3s when the 3-point line was introduced in 1987. Division I competitors recorded a 34 percent clip from beyond the arc overall last year. And teams are scoring at rates that haven't been this low in decades. Those numbers don't tell the full story. But they do suggest that this new era of versatility hasn't sparked an uptick in efficiency. "There's good and bad about young kids looking at that because I understand young kids wanting to look at that and be versatile, but the LeBron Jameses of the world don't come through very often," Alford said.

"He is a very special player in that regard. … That's a unique situation." College coaches, however, want players to do more. In the past, size often trumped skills with regard to positions. That's no longer the case for many coaches. They use the versatility within their rosters to operate more effectively. There are more options with substitutions because players can play multiple roles. And offensive sets have additional avenues because there are more ballhandlers on the floor. "I think it makes it tough to guard in transition when multiple guys bring the ball up," Baylor coach Scott Drew said. Coaches and players agree that this new wave of multi-talented athletes is not some fad for college basketball. The descriptors that made sense years ago feel inadequate today. Point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards and centers -- in some cases -- have been replaced by young men who simply call themselves players. "I can bring the ball up for us," Austin said, "if that's what we need." 10 Greatest NBA Point Guards of All Time 10 Greatest NBA Point Guards of All Time Reddit Steve Nash drives to the basket.

| Harry How/Getty Images The point guard best captures the imagination of the weekend warrior , accommodating all shapes and sizes — from 5-foot-3 Tyrone “Mugsey” Bouges and doughboy Khalid El-Amin to the 6-foot-9 force that was Magic Johnson. An elite point guard can completely dominate the game without even scoring. The best point men are typically pass-first team players who subjugate their own offensive talent to get teammates involved in the flow of the basketball game. For that reason, assist totals are a leading indicator of point guard play. With that, here’s our take on the top 10 NBA point guards of all time. Honorable Mention: Steve Nash will go down as one of the most efficient offensive players in the history of basketball. While the tail end of Nash’s career — with the Los Angeles Lakers — was marred by nagging injuries in conjunction with a monstrous contract, we’ll always remember him for his playing days with the Phoenix Suns; a run that single-handedly popularized the constant pick and roll you see today. 10. Kevin Johnson Armed with a deadly first step and high-top fade, Kevin Johnson worked his signature crossover dribble to perfection.

Classic KJ would go rope-a-dope, where he would hesitate and lean to his left, just before crossing back over to the right and exploding into the paint. As a finisher, 6-foot-1 Kevin had the hops to give the business to all comers at the rim, including Hakeem Olajuwon. In Phoenix, little people everywhere prevailed, as No. 7 climbed the ladder to throw down a thunderous jam upon The Dream’s neck . For the majority of his 13-year career , KJ sparked a high-octane offense in the Valley of the Sun, with 6,711 career assists, three All-Star nominations, and one NBA Finals appearance. At the height of his powers, KJ joined the ranks of Isiah Thomas, Magic, and Oscar Robertson as the only point guards in history who were automatic for 20 points and 10 assists each night. In 1991, Kevin, the eventual mayor of Sacramento, slapped together 22 points, 10 assists, and four rebounds per game. 9.

Chris Paul CP3 is one of the best point guards ever | Stephen Dunn/Getty Images At the tender age of 31, Chris Paul has already thrown his name into the ring as one of the all-time greats at point guard. As he honed his skills at Wake Forest, Paul emerged as another product of the ACC point guard blueprint that preached intelligence, heart, and above all else, the pick and roll. As a member of Lob City, Paul has mastered the art of feeding both Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan at the front of the rim for hammer dunks. At 6-foot and 175 pounds, Paul has always been deceptively quick. On the perimeter, he can be impossible to contain, as he barrels into the lane at will to either set the table for a cutting big man, kick the ball out to sharpshooter J.J. Redick for an open three, or even finish himself with either hand at the rim. In half-court sets, Paul has also mastered the art of the step-back three, where he feints a drive, delivers a forearm shiver, and fades behind the arc to knock down clutch jumpers, firing up the Staples Center crowd.

For his career, Paul has averaged nearly 19 points, 10 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. 8. Jason Kidd Jason Kidd is so focused right now | Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Similar to Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd did not need to score a point to dominate the game. Once nicknamed Ason, for his lack of a “J” (or jumpshot), Kidd’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. In all, he closed out his 19-year career with one NBA championship, two Olympic gold medals, 10 All-Star game appearances, 1,988 three-point conversions, 12,091 assists (second of all time), and 2,684 steals (second of all time). As a triple-double machine, Kidd was a stat sheet stuffer, who finished among the all-time leaders for point guards in every significant statistical category. In his prime, Kidd was a speed demon who arguably starred as the league’s fastest end-to-end performer. He was at his best in a freelance, up-tempo game, where he could turn on the jets and find the right man at the right place in transition.

Over time, Kidd aged gracefully into the elder Mavericks statesmen, who facilitated half-court sets and even added a consistent three-point shot to his offensive arsenal. 7. Walt “Clyde” Frazier Walt “Clyde” Frazier was just too cool for school. As a Knick, Frazier owned New York in the ’70s on the strength of his well-coiffed afro, mutton-chop sideburns, tailored suits, fur coats, fedora hats, Rolls Royce cars, and two NBA Championships. Frazier was the charismatic leader of a Knicks Dream Team, which included fellow and future Hall of Famers Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas, Willis Reed, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, and Zen Master Phil Jackson amongst its ranks. At lead guard, only the calm, cool, and collected Frazier could put this cast of characters in check. Frazier put on a show in the clinching Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Beneath the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, Frazier paced his Knicks to the tune of 36 points and 19 assists. 6. Gary Payton Gary Payton handles the ball.

| Otto Gruele Jr./Getty Images Gary Payton was the greatest defensive point guard of all time. Nicknamed “The Glove,” Payton initially earned recognition as a ball hawk for his ability to shut down the likes of Kevin Johnson, John Stockton, and Steve Nash. With his wiry strength, physical style of play, and non-stop trash talk, Payton also starred as the rare athlete who could get into the head of the great Michael Jordan. In the 1996 NBA Finals, Payton harassed Jordan into a subpar performance (by his Airness’s standards). Payton held Jordan to 23, 26, and 22 points in the final three games of the series. As a member of the Seattle SuperSonics, Payton was the mastermind behind bang-bang alley-oop plays to “Man-Child” Shawn Kemp. In addition to the flair for the dramatic, Payton was fundamentally sound, as he thrived in the post to cook opponents with head fakes, turnaround jumpers, and a lethal drop step toward the goal.

During the 1999-2000 season , GP put it all together to average 24 points, nine assists, and seven boards per game in one of the greatest statistical performances in NBA history. In the twilight of his career, Payton finally rode off into the sunset as an NBA champion with the 2006 Miami Heat. 5. John Stockton As far as style was concerned, John Stockton was the anti-Clyde Frazier. With his choir boy looks and comb-over haircut, Stockton appeared equally ready to either prepare your income taxes or throw on a pair of butt-hugger shorts and school all comers out on the basketball floor. As a professional, Stockton was most notable for the economic efficiency of his game. As the NBA’s all-time assist leader (15,806 career assists), he played the angles to perfection, never committed to pounding the ball unnecessarily, and he appeared to always instinctively make the right decision at the right time. Stock’s limited use of steps made for a deceptively fast floor general who often blew right past defenders out on the perimeter, despite his apparent lack of raw athleticism. As the ultimate scrapper, No.

12 would scratch, claw, grab, and battle his way into position on each and every possession. On the pick and roll, Stockton hooked up with Karl “The Mailman” Malone for an ongoing montage of pretty-boy hand-behind-the-head dunks, and-one layups, and mid-range jump shots. To keep defenses honest, Stockton would sometimes curl off the Malone screen and fake the pass to The Mailman before stepping back behind the arc and knocking down a three from deep. 4. Bob Cousy Bob Cousy speaks his mind| Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images At first, nobody wanted Bob Cousy. As a young journeyman, he forced himself upon the Boston Celtics after he refused to report to the Tri Cities Blackhawks. After the Chicago Stags organization folded, Cousy signed on with the 1950 Celtics for $9,000 in salary. At the time, Celtics brass and head honcho Red Auerbach doubted that Cousy’s “local yokel” style and gimmicks could translate into success at the professional level. Cousy, of course, went on to serve as the original building block for a budding dynasty.

By his second season, he earned the nickname “Houdini of the Hardwood,” as he dazzled fans with his slick ball-handling, no-look passes, and 20 points-per-game average. After his sophomore campaign, “The Cooz” went on to lead the NBA in assists for eight consecutive seasons between 1953 and 1960. In 1959, Cousy slapped together 20 points, nine rebounds, and six assists per game, as the primary spark plug for Auerbach’s high-octane offense. The Celtic Tradition now prides itself upon team play and winning championships. Between 1957 and 1963, Cousy joined forces with The Great Bill Russell to bring home six NBA Championships in seven years. 3. Isiah Thomas Isiah Thomas left the game as one of the greats | MICHAEL E. SAMOJEDEN/AFP/Getty Images Despite his baby face and radiant smile, Isiah Thomas was the Baddest of the Bad Boys. In Detroit, he was the ringleader for a collection of goons who thrived upon intimidation, dust ups, and rough-and-tumble play.

The group, in its prime, gave both Jordan and Scottie Pippen fits as Detroit enforced the Jordan Rules, which called for Piston enforcers to close out on drives in the paint and slam the more athletic Bulls players into the basketball support. For years, many notable basketball historians had rightfully speculated that bad blood between Detroit and Chicago ultimately kept Thomas off the 1992 Dream Team. However, he did win back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990, between the Lakers, Celtics, and Bulls dynasties. In true point guard form, he looked to get the likes of Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, and Mark Aguirre involved throughout the first three quarters of each game. As a passer, Thomas averaged 9.3 assists per game throughout his 13-year career . In 1985, he led the NBA with 1,123 assists, or 13.9 dimes per game. As a scorer, Thomas often waited until crunch time to dominate. In the fourth quarter, he was especially notable for scoring points in bunches off an array of jumpers, dribble drives, and baby hooks.

Thomas, again, was the ultimate link between championship dynasties in Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago. As a young buck, he averaged 26 points per game in an ’85 playoff run that ended against Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. In defeat, Thomas infamously had his inbounds pass stolen by Bird, who flipped a pass to Dennis Johnson for the clinching lay-up. Three short seasons later, Thomas also hobbled his way to a sensational 25 points in one quarter against Magic Johnson and the LA Lakers, en route to a 1988 NBA Finals loss. After winning two titles, the Bad Boy run came to a crashing halt in Chicago. In 1991, Thomas refused to shake hands with the Bulls and led his Pistons off the Chicago Stadium floor after being swept out of the playoffs. 2. Oscar Robertson Oscar Robertson walks onto the floor. | Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Oscar Robertson was a force. Over the course of 14 seasons between the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks, Robertson put up unbelievable numbers to dominate the NBA. For his part, the Big O has ranked as a single-season leader in points, assists, free-throw attempts, free-throw percentage, and minutes played.

As the ultimate measure of his all-around game and end-to-end play, he tallied a record 181 triple-doubles, which included a remarkable 1962 run , where he averaged 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists per game. As a young star, Robertson did everything for the moribund Cincinnati Royals franchise. Through his first five years as a professional, Robertson averaged more than 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists per contest. After a 1970 trade to the Milwaukee Bucks, he was finally able to showcase his skills to the benefit of a winning program. Teamed up with a young Lew Alcindor, Robertson helped lead his Milwaukee Bucks to a 4-0 NBA Finals sweep over the Baltimore Bullets that season. 1. Magic Johnson There’s only one Magic | Stephen Dunn/Getty Images At 6-foot-9, Magic Johnson starred as the only NBA athlete who could perform at a high level at all five positions.

As a rookie in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals, the Magic Man subbed in for an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to record 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. As a backdrop, Magic’s all-around performance came against Julius Erving’s Philadelphia 76ers, and clinched the first of his five titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. From there, assistant coach Pat Riley was ultimately promoted as head coach, and Showtime was born on the West Coast. In Showtime, Magic was a one-man fast break who could crash the boards, control the basketball, and push the tempo. In the open court, Magic often fed the likes of Big Game James Worthy, Byron Scott, A.C. Green, and Michael Cooper with pinpoint no-look passes for easy buckets. Magic’s uptempo style and Hollywood marquee showmanship made for the perfect contrast in heated battles between the Lakers and Celtics. Between 1983 and 1987, Magic’s Lakers won two out of three heated NBA Finals matchups against the Boston Celtics, who were a dynasty in their own right.

As a winner and consummate team player, Magic closed out his career with 10,141 assists (now fifth of all time) and claimed five NBA titles. Statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference .

Question: 'Point Guard' and 'Centre' are positions in which sport?
Answer: BASKETBALL